Pandion haliaetus, Osprey, Sea Hawk. The osprey is one of only six land-birds with a cosmopolitan distribution, except Antarctica. Large, mostly white raptor that cruises over lakes, rivers, and coastal waterways in search of fish, with fish making up 99% of its diet. Prey is first sighted when the osprey is 10–40 m above the water, after which the bird hovers momentarily then plunges feet first into the water. The call is a series of sharp whistles, described as cheep, cheep or yewk, yewk.